Internal US Airport Lounges (AA) + LAX Lounge (Qantas) - Should we purchase Q Club?

[gonecountry]

Hi Everyone,

I've booked tickets to the states early next year and wonder the best way to go about lounge access.

We can use a pass for Qantas lounge in Melbourne for departure but realise lounge passes won't work for LAX on the way home.
We are also doing about 4 AA internal flights (we figure we should use AA this trip to accrue QF SC and points) but not sure about lounge access. Unlike Oz last time we flew our internal flights (Delta) even in business we didn't have access to the lounge.

Is anyone familiar with the lounge system (Admirals Club)? (We are silver and bronze status). Does Qantas Club membership get you in? We have been thinking about joining Qantas club anyway....would it be worth it to get club membership if we can use it for our internal US flights plus LAX on the way home? (we'll probably have 4-5 hours before we depart). We would get 4-5 domestic uses out of it for the remainder of the year as well.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[offshore171]

Re: Internal US Airport Lounges (AA) + LAX Lounge (Qantas) - Should we purchase Q Clu

If it's just for a one off trip, I wouldn't bother. By international standards, US lounges are pretty low quality.

 

[Isolar]

Re: Internal US Airport Lounges (AA) + LAX Lounge (Qantas) - Should we purchase Q Clu

I've used Admirals Clubs a lot (used to be a member years ago). They are much better than they once were but they are not at the same level as Qantas Clubs. Food items can be minimal and if you want something more substantial you have to pay for it. Some beverages are free (soft drinks and alcohol) better quality offerings have to be paid for. I'm not sure how AA views Qantas Club members but if you are OWE (QF Platinum and above) or OWS (Qf Gold) the lounge reception staff will give you a couple of vouchers for the better drinks, maybe QC members get the same. Bear in mind that drinks are served from a tended bar so it is expected that you will tip, even if it is a free drink.

What cities are you flying to/from with AA? That will also have a bearing as some airports have much better lounges than others (same as QF), or no lounge at all.

A big plus with the QC membership is access to the oneworld LAX lounge, which is definitely one of the better lounges out there.

I would do a quick calculation as to how many lounge visits I would be likely to make in the year and figure out a cost per visit to determine if it is worth it. Everyone will have a different threshold but for me, if it was going to cost more than $50 per visit I would say not worth it. These days there are very good F&B outlets in most US airports, from takeaway fast food to sit down restaurant style. I'd rather spend my money there.

 

[Mattg]

Re: Internal US Airport Lounges (AA) + LAX Lounge (Qantas) - Should we purchase Q Clu

I believe that Qantas Club members can also bring a guest into Admirals Club lounges, so if there's 2 of you travelling then you would only need one membership to cover both of you. Admirals Club lounges aren't great, but I would say it's probably worth it - especially if you're going to get at least some use from the membership back in Australia as well.

 

[gonecountry]

Re: Internal US Airport Lounges (AA) + LAX Lounge (Qantas) - Should we purchase Q Clu

Thanks for the comments, very helpful. Isolar - at this stage Dallas, Atlanta & Boston lounges + LAX.
I'm not surprised about the feedback on the lounge quality, I definitely have found that with domestic business and first class so not surprising it's a flown on with the lounge.
With this in mind it might be better not to splurge for Qantas Club if the majority of my uses of it will be for lounges in the states.

 

[Isolar]

Re: Internal US Airport Lounges (AA) + LAX Lounge (Qantas) - Should we purchase Q Clu

Dallas and Boston clubs I've been to recently and are quite good (relatively speaking of course . DFW in particular, being the major hub, has several lounges located in the various terminals. My favourite was always the Terminal A lounge which has the best shower suites (used to be part of the Flagship First lounge). Atlanta I have not been to for many years, but it is one of the smaller lounges in the network. LAX is undergoing renovations and may not be that great an experience until the works are completed. You might be able to access the QF operated oneworld lounge at LAX ahead of your AA flights. However, be warned that application of access rules can be unpredictable given the feedback I've seen on threads here and on FlyerTalk.

 

[gonecountry]

Re: Internal US Airport Lounges (AA) + LAX Lounge (Qantas) - Should we purchase Q Clu

Thanks Isolar! That's so helpful.

 

[waltervp]

Hi, I don't do my homework before flying but always assumed QC would work across the One World alliance. This is true in theory but in practise I get refused entry regularly. Just this week flying Amer.Airl. from Washington Dulles there was no Admirals Club for AA passengers, and I was directed to the BA lounge. There I was refused because Qantas has no arrangements apparently. This was not unusual for me. I've been refused entry at Cairns intern. even when on a Q. Codeshare Jetstar flight, don't ask why but i was told they often have to disappoint passengers. I was refused entry in Melb.Int. Q lounge as I was an Emirates passenger, in Dubai because they had no Qantas arrangements, in KL as a Jetstar passenger because the club was closed and no more QF flights leaving.... And I have more examples, like at Charles de Gaulle in Paris but you get the gist.

And from reading this you may assume I travel a lot. Well I don't. I travel internationally maybe once or twice a year, and have the QC because of ailing health and I travel with an oxygen concentrator and have diabetes. I need club access to use the bathroom for nebulising and injecting and pay the dollars because I think it allows me access. I try fly Qantas as much as I can but often I cannot book the specials (don't ask why, no idea). Last USA flight I had ample time to book, and tried to book a QF flight over three promotions that I saw to IAD over 3 months. Even the phone staff (after excessive waits on phone) could not help. Try different dates and times they would say. I tried booking at airport, in lounge, online,... But could not get the advertised fare to IAD till I just went to the American Airlines website and the fare was most reasonable and same whenever I tried to fly around my dates. Simple. Easy, affordable, no surcharges and One world alliance. Q flights were always different prices for every different time and date and never close to the advertised price. Most frustrating.

No stuff Q for me, I must have my QC but I am soooo not a fan of them.

 

[serfty]

You really need to research QP (QClub) access if travelling internationally.

With rare exceptions the only access to non Qantas lounges as a QP member is at Admiral's Clubs.

One of the exceptions is at DXB where Emirates business lounge access is available only if on a QF flight number.